WATCH: Terri Paddock talks to Queen of the Mist's company about Michael John LaChiusa

With the Union Theatre's Hello Again, there are now two Michael John LaChiusa musicals running simultaneously in London. What makes the work of this American composer, lyricist and book writer so remarkable? Faves founder Terri Paddock discussed at her post-show Q&A with the company of Queen of the Mist...

Michael John LaChiusa was on his way back to the States by the time I chaired my post-show Q&A at the West End (and UK) premiere of his musical Queen Of The Mist – but I wonder if his ears were burning badly en route?

A central part of my discussion – with director Dom O’Hanlon, musical director Connor Fogel, leading lady Trudi Camilleri and fellow cast members Will Arundell, Conor McFarlane, Emma Ralston and Tom Blackmore – was LaChiusa himself. What distinguishes his work? Why has he inspired such a devoted following on both sides of the Atlantic? How do his songs challenge – and reward – performers? Given his esteemed reputation, why don’t we see more of his shows in London?

Michael John LaChiusa is a five-time Tony Award-nominated composer, lyricist and librettist whose other shows include The Wild Party, See What I Wanna See, Hello Again and Little Fish, which have all had Off-West End productions in London, as well as Giant, Marie Christine, Chronicle of a Death Foretold, First Lady Suite, Bernarda Alba, Four Short Operas: Break, Agnes, Eulogy for Mr Hamm and Lucky Nurse.

Queen Of The Mist, originally seen in New York in 2011, won the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding New Off-Broadway Musical and was nominated for six Drama Desk Awards, including Outstanding Musical.

It’s based on the astounding and outrageous true story of Anna Edson Taylor, who, in 1901, on her 63rd birthday, set out to make her fortune by becoming the first person to survive a trip over Niagara Falls. She accomplished the plunge in a barrel of her own design, but fame and fortune – as well as the barrel – proved more elusive.

This UK premiere production, care of Pint of Wine Theatre Company, had a sell-out run at west London’s Brockley Jack Studio Theatre in April. It has moved from the fringe 50-seater for a limited West End season at Charing Cross Theatre, where Tara Usher's barrel-set is stunningly reconfigured for the underground venue’s traverse staging, with lush lighting by Beth Gupwell, soundscape by Adrian Jeakins and costumes by Lemington Ridley – who also received shoutouts in our post-show discussion.

Watch and share the full post-show discussion video below. For more photos from this event, visit TerriPaddock.com.